Dr. Weiss invents new chemical tools to dissect biological processes at the level of atoms and bonds. He is currently developing a new technology for manufacturing cheap disposable, and highly sensitive biosensors capable of detecting the molecules associated with cancer in urine and blood.
His lab’s overarching mission is to understand the relationship between a protein’s structure and its function, especially for enzymes and membrane proteins. Recent proteins studied by his lab play key roles as catalysts and switches for the cell. His research seeks significant breakthroughs in both quantitative analysis and control over biologically relevant processes. The bioelectronics aspects of his research allows him a detailed study of the individual steps for biomolecular processes, and his protein engineering experiments identify the chemical functionalities required for molecular recognition and other biological events. These complementary approaches offer unprecedented insights into both steps and functional groups required by proteins acting as complex systems in cells and organisms.
Upon earning his Ph.D., Dr. Weiss accepted a postdoctoral fellow position at Genentech, Inc. He joined UC Irvine in 2000, and is currently a tenured Professor of both chemistry and molecular biology and biochemistry. He served as the Co-Director of the Chemical and Structural Biology Program of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Weiss was Vice Chair of Graduate Affairs for the department of chemistry at UC Irvine since 2010. He has won several awards including Outstanding Professor in the School of Physical Sciences and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Young Investigator award. In addition, Weiss was recognized for his contributions to undergraduate education. He has also served on numerous departmental and university committees including chairing graduate and faculty recruitments. His memberships include service on the NIH NANO study section, and he is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Ph.D., Harvard University, 1997
B.S., University of California, Berkeley, 1992